Building a CISO Office: Mastering Enterprise Risk Management and Aligning Cybersecurity with Business Goals | Part 2 of 3 | A Conversation with Kush Sharma | Redefining CyberSecurity with Sean Martin

Guest: Kush Sharma, Director Municipal Modernization & Partnerships, Municipal Information Systems Association, Ontario (MISA Ontario)

On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kush-sharma-9bb875a/

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Host: Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast [@RedefiningCyber]

On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/sean-martin

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Episode Notes

In this part two of the three-part series on The Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast, host Sean Martin is joined by Kush Sharma to discuss the critical topic of building a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) office from the ground up. Both speakers bring invaluable insights from their extensive experiences, illustrating key points and real-world scenarios to help organizations navigate the complexities of cybersecurity and business transformation.

Sean kicks off the conversation by emphasizing the strategic role of the CISO in business transformation. He explains that a successful CISO not only secures what the business wants to create but also contributes to developing a powerful and secure business. He points out that CISOs often have a unique perspective, experience, and data that can significantly impact the way business processes are transformed and managed.

Kush expands on this by highlighting the need for adaptability and a mindset of continuous change. He shares that CISOs should view their organization as a business function solely dedicated to protecting assets. He uses examples to demonstrate how missions change every few years due to the rapid evolution of technology and processes, making it essential for security teams to pivot and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Kush stresses the importance of collaboration across different teams—from digital to physical—and notes that a key to successful security management is building a culture that is adaptable and aligned with the business's changing objectives. One of the most interesting points brought up is the significance of involving security from the outset of any new project.

Sean and Kush discuss the importance of integrating the CISO into discussions around business requirements, system architecture, and technology selection. By being involved early, CISOs can help ensure that the organization makes informed decisions that can save time, reduce risks, and ultimately contribute to a more secure business environment.

Another critical aspect discussed is the approach to risk management. Kush describes a structured method where security teams provide options and recommendations rather than outright saying 'no' to business requests. He mentions the use of risk acceptance forms, which require high-level sign-offs, thus ensuring that decision-makers are fully aware of the risks involved and are accountable for them. This transparency fosters a sense of shared responsibility and encourages more informed decision-making.

Both Sean and Kush provide a comprehensive look at the evolving role of the CISO. They make it clear that today's CISOs need to be strategic thinkers, skilled negotiators, and effective communicators to successfully lead their organizations through the complexities of modern cybersecurity challenges. The insights shared in this episode are invaluable for anyone looking to understand the multifaceted responsibilities of a CISO and the indispensable contributions they make to business success.

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Resources

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